trains are better for our environment than other modes of travel

Trains are better for our Trains are better for our environment than other modes environment than other modes

of travel. of travel.

Trains emit fewer greenhouse Trains emit fewer greenhouse gases* gases*

17.45 oz.

9.57 oz. 3 oz. Ounces per passenger per mile.

* Sierra Club

Trains are more fuel efficient *Trains are more fuel efficient *

59 miles 404 miles

One gallon

diesel fuel

One ton freight

* American Railroad Association

Trains are more energy Trains are more energy efficient *efficient *

BTUs per passenger per mile

911 5,255

* American Public Transportation Association

Federal Transportation Federal Transportation FundingFunding

1977-2001 (25 years)1977-2001 (25 years) Total $782 billionHighways 48.4%Air 22.4%Ports 12.3%Transit 12.1%Rail 4.0%

Rail funding in VirginiaRail funding in Virginia

Most states do not have a dedicated, reliable source of funds to invest in rail

Virginia has not had a rail fund Virginia’s Transportation Trust Fund formula:

– Highways 78.7%– Transit 14.7%– Ports 4.2% – Airports 2.4%– Rail 0%

What have all these $$ bought What have all these $$ bought us? us?

Oil Dependency & $3.00 gas

Global warming

Congestion

New Rail Fund EstablishedNew Rail Fund Established

Governor’s Commission for Rail Enhancement for the 21st Century recommends dedicated rail fund

2005 General Assembly adopts legislation establishing rail fund

Devotes portion of vehicle rental tax to rail$23 million annually (still only 1%)

Charlottesville – DC RailCharlottesville – DC RailAn idea whose time has come (again)!An idea whose time has come (again)!

““Back to the Future”Back to the Future”

Charlottesville was a major East-West and North-South commercial hub

Rail activity peaked in the 1920’sFrequent intercity passenger trains between

Charlottesville and Washington, D. C. “Taking the train” to Washington was a

regular part of life in Charlottesville

““Back to the Future”Back to the Future”

““Back to the Future”Back to the Future”

““Back to the Future”Back to the Future”

In 1956, there were a total of 22 daily passenger trains between Charlottesville and Washington, D.C.

– Southern Railway = 16 daily trips (8 in each direction)

– Chesapeake &Ohio = 6 daily trips (3 in each direction)

Southern Crescent Southern Crescent (pre-Amtrak)(pre-Amtrak)

““Back to the Future” Back to the Future”

1971 AMTRAK takes over passenger service in the US

2006 – one daily train in each direction (Crescent)– 2 daily trains three times weekly (Cardinal)

AMTRAK’s Virginia Service AMTRAK’s Virginia Service NetworkNetwork

Amtrak CrescentAmtrak CrescentDaily ServiceDaily Service

Amtrak CardinalAmtrak CardinalThree times per weekThree times per week

Amtrak annual passengersAmtrak annual passengers

0

50000

100000

150000

200000

250000

300000

Annual passengers

C'ville

Newport News

Richmond

Lynchburg

Amtrak: Amtrak: Number of trains per weekNumber of trains per week

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Weekly trains

C'ville

NewportNewsRichmond

Lynchburg

Amtrak:Amtrak:Annual passengers per trainAnnual passengers per train

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

Passengers/Train Service

C'ville

Newport News

Richmond

Lynchburg

Who owns the rails in Who owns the rails in Virginia?Virginia?

3,400 miles of track

All owned by the freight railroads

2,000 mi NS

1,000 mi CSX

Virginia Rail and Highway Virginia Rail and Highway System mileage 1930 - 1990System mileage 1930 - 1990

CvilleRail CvilleRail

May 22, 2005 – press conference at Charlottesville Union Station

Why rail?Our travel options are

limitedTravelers on 29N and I-66 have little choice but to drive to reach their destination. With more frequent, accessible and reliable rail service, we believe many more individuals would choose the rail alternative.

Taking the train cuts traffic congestion

The Route 29 and I-66 corridors become more congested every day and yet most travelers still drive. An alternative is intercity rail, for safer roads and less congestion.

In the D.C. area, during peak traffic hours, VRE trains carry enough commuters to take one full lane of traffic off I-66 and I-95 every hour.

Trains are better for the environment

According to Sierra Club calculations of air pollution per passenger mile for different modes of transportation, the 236 mile round trip to Washington from Charlottesville spews 4,118 oz. of damaging chemical emissions into the atmosphere by plane, 2,258 oz. by car, and only 708 oz. by train.

Rail travel is the most energy-efficient of any form of mass transportation by far, including cars, planes or buses.

Enhanced train service will spur Charlottesville’s urban

revitalization

It will stimulate new investment and keep the city’s economy moving forward.